MINI John Cooper Works Part 3: Performance Review

The original Austin Mini was a product of the British Motor Corporation and the engineering genius of Sir Alec Issigonis. The performance image that the Mini still enjoys to this day, however, is owed to John Cooper and the Monaco-Rally-dominating Minis that bore his name.

Fast forward to present day and we have a BMW-owned MINI brand cleverly drawing on those past rally performances by applying the name John Cooper Works to the most exciting product in its lineup.

The JCW MINI starts with the 1.6-liter, direct-injected turbocharged four from the Cooper S and revises it thoroughly. The end result is 208 horsepower and - on an overboost function - 207 lb-ft of torque, all motivating around 2600 lbs and making this the baddest MINI in the land.

No longer a limited production special, MINI expects to sell considerably more JCW models since it has changed the package from a dealer-installed kit on the last generation car, to a factory prepared option on the newest version.

Special features include a sport button that adds weight to the electric power steering system, sharpens throttle response and alters engine programming. This results in amazing pops and crackles from the JCW-specific exhaust system when you lift-off the throttle at elevated rpms. It'll make you smile every time, although your neighbors will probably frown. Much more useful is another feature found on the most powerful MINI...

Standard on the JCW is what MINI calls Electronic Differential Lock Control, which is basically an electronic limited slip differential. To access this electronic differential's full abilities, however, you need to deactivate the stability control system - which means you are turning off your safety net. Once you've done so, the system will be working overtime as you exit corners aggressively, with the front brakes in a perpetual struggle against the 208 horsepower trying to vaporize the front tires.

Not quite as handy as a conventional mechanical limited slip differential, it still helps mitigate the torque steer that is part and parcel of any high-horsepower front-wheel-drive car - especially when cornering. Speaking of which, while there's an optional suspension upgrade for the JCW model, our test car made do with the base suspension borrowed from the Cooper S. In this form, the car not only handled incredibly well - with crisp, almost instantaneous turn-in, and lots of grip - but also rode with relative comfort, making us think that perhaps the pricey optional suspension is best reserved for the most hard-core track junkies.

While the original Mini earned its street-cred through its racing successes, the new MINI JCW relies on a series of performance enhancing upgrades that transform it from a fun, sporty car, to a downright performance hooligan that will plaster a grin on your face every time you provoke it.

Watch the video
Read Part 1: Design
Read Part 2: Interior & User Experience

MINI John Cooper Works

Performance
- Acceleration: Hang on to the wheel and prepare for torque steer! - goes impressively quickly, though, feeling faster than it is
- Handling: Playful rear axle makes this one of the most fun front-wheel-drive cars available... once you turn off the stability control system
- Braking: Brembos don't have to struggle when they're charged with slowing just over 2600 lbs of car

Design
- Exterior: Conservative redesign of the first BMW MINI, but still quite nice - smile inducing and fun to look at
- Interior: An ergonomics nightmare that grows on you with familiarity - quirky design great to look at as well

Utility
- Comfort: Up front, no sweat, in back, less so - back seat ingress/egress not for the inflexible... don't throw out that hip!
- Space: It is called a mini after all - not truly a four-seater if you've also got to put things in it, but again, it's a MINI

Safety
- Dynamics: Eager to shake its butt when you're playing around, but stability control keeps it in check during normal driving - super easy to maneuver around obstacles
- Technology: Airbags galore, stability control, traction control, electronic brake force distribution, yadda, yadda... you can't beat physics though, so don't crash

Value
- Price: The single bad piece of news... "They want how much for a car this small?!!?" Incredibly, though, you'll think it's worth it after you live with it
- Mileage: As usual with turbocharged cars (especially light-weight cars), stay out of the boost and reap the rewards

Emotional Appeal
- Heart thumpin' factor: Premium feel, spunky character and cheeky design will have you treating it like a pet and loving every bit of it
- Fun to spank: Once you send the stability and traction control systems on a break, fun, fun, fun to be had... for a front-wheel driver anyway

SPECIFICATIONS

Layout: Front engine / Front-wheel drive
Engine: 1.6 liter, turbocharged inline-4
Power (SAE): 208 hp @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 2000-5300 rpm *on overboost*
Gearbox: 6-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2655 lbs.
0-60 mph: 6.0 sec.
1/4 mile: 14.4 @ 99 mph
Top Speed: 147 mph
Mileage: 26 city / 34 highway
Base Price: $29,200
Competitors: Mazdaspeed3, Volkswagen GTI, Honda Civic Si